What is Pollution?

What is Pollution?

• Pollution is the presence or introduction of harmful or undesirable substances into the environment, affecting living organisms and ecosystems.
• Pollutants can be in the form of solid, liquid, or gaseous materials.

MARPOL 73/78 (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships)

• Adopted on November 2, 1973, and entered into force on October 2, 1983.
• Updated through amendments to strengthen provisions.
• Necessary due to the massive transportation of oil, liquefied gases, and chemical cargoes by sea, which can lead to pollution.

Special Areas

• Geographical regions designated for additional environmental protection due to ecological significance, vulnerability, or unique characteristics.
• Stricter regulations applied to prevent pollution from ships and reduce the impact on the marine environment.

Annex I - Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil

• Entered into force on October 2, 1983.

Causes of Oil Pollution

• Operational: due to negligence or accidental causes such as grounding, collision.

Special Areas List

• Mediterranean Sea
• Baltic Sea
• Black Sea
• Red Sea
• "Gulfs" area
• Gulf of Aden
• Antarctic area
• North West European Waters
• Oman area of the Arabian Sea
• Southern South African waters

Discharge Criteria Requirements for Machinery Spaces of All Ships 400 GRT & Above

• Outside Special Area:
  • Must meet specific criteria:
    • Proceeding en route
    • Oily mixture processed through oil filtering equipment
    • Oil content of effluent does not exceed 15 ppm
    • Oily mixture does not originate from cargo pump room bilges on oil tankers
    • Oily mixture, in case of oil tankers, is not mixed with oil cargo residues
• In Special Area:
  • Same criteria but with different levels
• In Antarctic area:
  • Any discharge into the sea or air of oily mixtures from any ship is prohibited